by Ramnath Govind Kare
ramnathkare@gmail.com

“A person is not poor if he has no money, but he is definitely poor if he has no vision”  

These words can truly be said of our late Baba who was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but who overcame every impediment to keep alive his aspirations. Baba was a man of great vision and foresight, despite being orphaned at the age of 12, with no inheritance and a bare minimum education - just Class 4 in Marathi and Class 2 in Portuguese. His success story has been due entirely to sheer hard work, determination and a quest to serve people. 

Baba started his career working with an insurance company and also supplying medicines to doctors. There were no proper roads then, but the long distances that he travelled by cycle and sometimes by foot, did not deter him. In 1932, through good contacts, he started Farmacia Salcete in Margao. Since then, he never looked back and went on to establish pharmacies in all the 4 major cities of Goa, carving a niche for himself.

Baba was so inspired by his vision of the future, that in 1946, he ventured to start a Public Limited Company, Indoco Remedies Ltd., in Mumbai. When India got its Independence in 1947, he left no stone unturned to make this company a success. Unfortunately for him, between 1955-61, the Government of India imposed an economic blockade in Goa, leaving the fate of the entire company hanging in the balance. But Baba did not lose hope. Even though there were many offers to buy the company, he refused them all. After the liberation of Goa in 1962, his 3 sons, Ramnath, Suresh and Ashok, joined him in business and Baba became the driving force behind the success of the Kare Group of Companies in Goa and Indoco Remedies Ltd. in Mumbai which is today a flourishing 500 crore Company. Both these companies have made a name not only in Goa, but also in the rest of India.  

Apart from his business acumen, Baba was also committed to social activities. He was known as a man who could be counted upon to render help to underprivileged students who wanted to pursue their studies, as he himself had experienced how difficult it was to survive without education. Even at a young age, he took interest in the Khadi Movement and later in other fields. He was President of the Gomant Vidya Niketan at Margao for over 8 years and during his tenure, a theatre and library were built.  Baba was a philanthropist and donated munificent sums to establish the Govind Ramnath Kare College of Law run by Vidya Vikas Mandal. Today students from this college occupy high positions as Judges, Attorney Generals and Senior Advocates. After his death in 1991, in recognition of his work, the Margao Municipality named the road leading from Margao to the College campus the “G R Kare Road”. 

It is said that behind every successful man is a brave woman. Baba was fortunate to be married to the late Mrs. Vimlalbai Kare affectionately called “Amma”. Though hailing from a rich family, she always stood by Baba and even offered to sell her ornaments whenever he was in need of money.

Baba’s ideals continue to guide, lead, and motivate his progeny in whatever endeavours they undertake even today. The ‘Sanskars’ that he cultivated in the family, remain the footprints for his sons, Ramnath, Suresh and Ashok. His three daughters, Suman, Kumud and Sudha are married and well settled in their respective families.
 
Baba’s life can best be summed up in the words of the famous English Poet, Longfellow - “The heights by great men reached and kept/ Were not attained by sudden flight/ But they, while their companions slept/ Were toiling upward in the night.”

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